20 MARCH 2018

Pacquiao 'Still Loves Boxing'

Win, lose or draw against Jesse Vargas at the Thomas And Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday night future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao said he may continue to fight, as long as he ‘still loves boxing’.

The former pound for pound No.1 challenges Vargas for his WBO welterweight title and at a press conference on Tuesday the recently Philippine Senate said: “I want to prove that I am still one of the best pound-for-pound fighters. I feel I still have a lot to prove. I am not done with boxing. I will continue to keep fighting as long as I love boxing and boxing still loves me. I do not feel old. I feel like I am still 27”.

The 37 year added: “I am fighting for history. I was the first sitting congressman to win a world title. For this one, it is not enough to be the first sitting senator to fight for a world title - I want to be the first senator to become world champion. For me, that would be quite an accomplishment.”

That said, Pacquiao insists he will not underestimate the 27 year-old Vargas: “I do not underestimate Jessie Vargas. He is a good strong champion. You cannot fight at this level and be successful by underestimating your opponent,” Pacquiao said.

“I respect Jessie and that is why I trained hard. This is the most important fight because it will determine the direction of my boxing career. I need to win convincingly.”